View of the Milky Way over the Bear Meadows Natural Area from Indian Wells Overlook on the Mid-State Trail.

I've always wondered what the view of the night sky would be like in Rothrock State Forest what with the larger towns and cities surrounding this District but I've never had a chance to check it out. So this past Saturday with the forecast calling for absolutely clear skies and the moon not supposed to rise until early Sunday morning I packed up my camera gear and headed out into the woods.

It turns out that Rothrock is fantastic for viewing the stars!

I started with a quick night hike to the Indian Wells Overlook on the Mid-State Trail from the Big Flat Natural Area parking lot on Bear Gap Road. I've hiked this section many times, something that I always recommend people do before attempting a night hike, so I was pretty familiar with the route and the terrain. Arriving at the overlook I could hear Barred Owls calling from Bear Meadows below me and as I set up my camera gear I could clearly see the Milky Way hanging over the Kishcoquillas Valley to the South. From there I headed to Bear Gap Vista which with it's view to the North the Milky Way isn't visible at, but you can get a view of the night sky over State College and see just how much light the city is emitting into the night sky.

My next stop was Whipple Dam State Park where I grabbed a couple of pictures of the Milky Way over the lake. I tried to get a shot with the Milky Way reflecting off of the lake's surface but it just wasn't far enough in the Western portion of the sky at this time of the year. Perhaps in the Fall I can get that shot. Next up was the parking area at Bear Meadows and then the overlook on Wampler Road. By that point, it was about 1:00 Sunday morning and I was exhausted so I found a pull-off and grabbed a couple of hours of rest before heading out to explore more a dawn.

A Black-phased Timber Rattlesnake spotted by @mamaskistoo while hiking in Rothrock State Forest!

Often feared and misunderstood, Timber Rattlesnakes are an unaggressive species that almost always avoids humans if they can help it. The forested ridges of Central Pa, such as you will find in Rothrock State Forest and other State Forest districts in Pennsylvania, represent the largest remaining areas of habitat in the Northeast United States for this Species of Special Concern.

A number of different actions can be taken to avoid any potentially dangerous encounters with these venomous snakes.

While walking through tall grass and brushy areas wear loose fitting full length pants and high-topped leather boots and walk at a normal pace to avoid surprising a snake. Before sitting on or stepping on, next to, or over a log or rock check around it for any snakes that may be sheltering against it. Before reaching into any rock piles or bushes always carefully look for snakes. Under no circumstances should you attempt to handle a Rattlesnake, even if it appears to be dead.

​Should you come across one DCNR always recommends you remain a minimum of 3' from the snake. If it is in the middle of the trail and appears to refuse to move simply work your way around it or walk back the way you came and wait a couple of minutes. When you come back the snake will usually have moved on.

The Rothrock State Forest District, with the assistance of Applied Trails Research and KayLinn Enterprises, has been studying how best to improve the experience of Forest users while also identifying potential additional recreation opportunities within the district. Following two years of consultations with the various users of Rothrock State Forest and assessments of current trail offerings and conditions a recreation management plan for the District has been completed. The public is invited to the Boalsburg Fire Company on the evening of July 10th, 2018 at 6:30 pm where the plan and its recommendations for a network of new trails will be presented. More information about the event can be found here or on our Facebook Page. Hope to see you there!

Those who are interested in attending are asked to please RSVP with Rothrock State Forest via email at fd05@pa.gov or by checking the going box on the event listing on our Facebook page!